Electric switch.



C. J. KLEIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED MAY 22. 191i.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

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@HARLJES KLEIN, Gil? MILWAUKEE, "WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THECUTLER-HAMMER MFG. (30., OF MILVI'ZHJ'KEE, WISGUMSIN, A CORPORATION OFWISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC $WITCH.

menses.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patented Dec. 7, i915.

@ne of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved. switch ofsimple and inexpensive construction.

A further object of my invention is to provide improved means forsupporting and inclosing the parts of the switch mechanism.

Other objectsand advantages of my improved construction will hereinafterappear.

In this application, I shall for purposes of illustration describe myinvention as applied to a switch of the cleat type. My invention itself,however, is not limited in its use to switches of this type or to thespecific construction hereinafter described, but may be widely modifiedand used in various other relations ifdesired.

In the accompanying drawings I havev illustrated one form of a cleatswitch con-.

structed in accordance with my invention.

in the views of these drawings:-Figure 1 shows a longitudinal sectionalview of the assembled switch device. Fig. 2. shOWs a top plan view ofthe switch with a portion of the cover removed. Fig. 3 shows atransverse sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 with the'cam member inelevation. Fig. 4c shows an interior View of the upper casing member.Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the switch contactor. Fig. 6 shows asectional view on line 6-43 of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 shows a perspective viewof one of the stops forthe switch mechanism.

lin these figures I have shown a preferred form of switch mechanismwhich is of the ush button type described in my Patent o. 985,421patented February 28, 1911. This mechapism includes a reciprocating cammember 1 of the conformation of a double frustum, positioned base tobase, having flanges 2 at its reduced ends and oppositely extending pushbuttons 1)v extending beyond the flanges. A. movable contactor l isarranged to be reciprocated with a uick snap action when the cam member1 1s reciprocated, to make or break an electrical circuit. This movablecontactor t is preferably constructed of stamped resilient sheet metaland is provided with a body portion 5 having rearwardly extendingrounded shoulders 6 having projections 6 and forwardly extending sidepieces 7, bent substantially at right angles to the body portion 5. in apreferred form the edges of these side pieces 7 are slightly peaked andbent outward, as shown in Fig. 5. The side pieces 7 carry between themand adjacent their ends at a distance from the inner surface of the bodyportion 5, avertically extending spacing strip 8, preferably of the samematerial as the body portion. This spacing strip is provided at itscorners with shoulders 9 adapted to engage in vertically extending slots10 in the top and bottom edges of the sides 7. Both the body portion 5and the spacing strip 8 are provided with central perforations 11 of asufficient size to permit the cam member 1 to pass through the same. Thecontactor is arranged to ride upon the cam member as shown in Fig. 2 andcarry between its body portion 5 and the spacing strip 8 a garter spring12which grips the cam member. in order to provide sufficient room forthe garter spring to expand when moving over the crest of the cam, slots13 may be cut in the opposite sides of the side pieces 7 of thecontactor, between the body portion 5 and the spacing strip 8. In orderto facilitate the bending of the side pieces 7, notches may be cut inthesame as illustrated at 1%. Thls contactor 4 is arranged to bridge thecontact surfaces ofterminal members 15 and 16 which are carried by abase 17 of substantially rectangular shape and cross section. As shownin Fig. 2 the terminal members 15 and 16 are preferably of a similarconstruction but are oppositely disposed and arranged to be fixed to thebase 17 in a preferred form byscrews 18 which extend through the baseand are accessible from. the under side of the same. la a preferredformthese terminals 15 and 16 are mounted in similar correspondinglyshaped recesses '19 in the upper surface of the base 17 and are providedwith reduced necks 20! and upwardly extending if-shaped contact members21-, which are preferably bent up from the body portion of the terminalmembers, substantially at right angles to the same. In a preferred formthese contact members are provided with elongated contact surfaces 22,slightly peaked at 23 and provided with downwardly extending projectionsor shanks 2i whose lower ends bear against the bottom of a centralrectangular shaped recess 25 in the upper surface of the base 17. Inthis recess 25 the switch mechanism heretofore described is arranged toreciprocate and is supported in stops 26 and 27 mounted upon the bottomat the opposite ends of the recess 25. These stops are provided withfeet 28 and 29 which rest upon the bottom of the recess 25 and aresecured to the same by screws 30 and 31 extending thro-ugh'to the bottomof the base member 17 and having their heads housed in suitable recesses32 and 33. These stops 26 and 27 are on opposite sides of the base 17 inthe opposite ends of the chamber 25 and are arranged in a plane betweenthe contact faces of the terminals 15 and 16.

Perforation's 3i and 35 are provided .in the vertical portions of thestops which are adapted to permit the push buttons 3 of the switchmechanism to be reciprocated, but which are not of a suflicient size topermit the flanges 2 to pass through the same. When the cam member isreciprocated across the base the inner surfaces of the stops 26 and 27therefore serve to establish the limits of the movement of the cammember. As the cam member is moved across the base its crest passesthrough the garter spring 12 and this garter spring is expanded to throwthe contactor to one of the limits of its travel. One limit of thetravel of the contactor is established by the engagement of thecontactor with the contact surfaces of the terminal members 21. \Vhenthe contactor moves toward the terminal members, the out-turned edges ofthe same engage the outer sides of the contact surfaces 22 with a wipingcontact which continues until the spacing strip 8 of the contactor abutsagainst the peaked edge of the contact members 21. The other limit ofthe travel of the contactor is established by the stop 26, which notonly serves the function of providing a stop for the cam member and aguide for the push button, but also is of such a construction astopermit it to provide a stop for the contactor. This is accomplished byproviding it with a horizontally extending bent portion 36, whichextends toward the contactor, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

, Laterally extending ears 37 are formed on the portion 36 and aforwardly extending lug 38, having slanting sides 39, is also preferablyprovided. Thus it is seen that when the contactor is brought back toopen circuit position the back of the contactor, which 'is thebody'portion, 5 as shown in F ig.. 2,

and therounded shoulders 6 may engage the 63 toreceive these contactmembers.

adjacent edges of the ears 37 and the lug 38. In a preferred form,however, I so shape the lug 38 that it is not of a sufficient length tostrike the body portion of the contactor. Consequently the impact isreceived on the projections 6 on the contactor, which are better ableto-withstand the shocks. In a preferred form I provide the foot orpedestal 28 of the stop 26 with cars 10 and a lug 41, corresponding tothe ears 37 and the lug 38, so that both ends of the contactor willengage stops substantially at the same time and all strain upon theparts he thus obviated. In a preferred form I may strike up the ears 40on the foot 28 as shown in Fig. 7. Further, in order to seat the stop 26securely in the base member 17 I may provide the pedestal 28 withpunched out tongues 13 which may be received in rectangular shapedrecesses 14 in the base 17 on opposite sides of the screw 30.

The outer ends of the terminal members 15 and 16 are enlarged as shownat +5 and provided withbinding screw 46 and oppositely extending ears 47to facilitate the connections of the conductors to the binding screws.Leading to the binding screws 46 are transversely extending grooves 48in the upper surface of the base 17 which are adapted to receive theconductors. Perforations 49 communicating with the binding screwsthrough shallow recesses 50 permit the conductors to be brought throughthe bottom of the base 17 to the binding screws if desired. The base mayalso be provided with vertically extending perforations 51 havingreduced portions at their lower ends, so that screw-s may be inserted inthe base to attach the same to any suitable support. If desired. feet 53may be arranged in suitable positions on the bottom of the base member.

A switch cover 54 is adapted to be clamped over the top of the basemember 17 by screws 55 arranged on opposite sides of the switchmechanism as shown in Fig. 2. These screws 55 preferably have theirheads set in recesses 56 in the upper surface of the base and extenddownward through suitable recesses to taps 57 riveted to the base 17 andsealed in the same at 58. in such a manner as to prevent their rotationor the loss of the same. If desired insulating washers 59 may be carriedby the screws 55. The inner surface of the cover 51 is provided with a.central 1 chamber 60 of substantially rectangular cross section, whichis provided at its opposite ends with connecting recesses 61, arrangedto house the stops 26 and 27, and grooves 62 arranged to permit thereciprocation'of the push buttons 3. As shown in Fig. 4 the portionofthe casing above the contact members 21 is cut off obliquely as atCommunicating with the central recess 60, in the cover 54;, arelaterally extending recesses of a suflicient size to permit the entry ofthe mosses conductors to the binding screws 46, and communicating withthese recesses 64 through grooves 65 are transversely extending grooves66 corresponding. to and registering with the grooves 48 in the uppersurface of the base member 17. In a preferred form both the base 17 andthe cover 54l are provided with walls 67 around'their edges as shown inFigs. 1 and 2, and are composed of an insulating material such forexample as porcelain or molded stone.

When the parts of the assembled switch are in the position shown in Fig.2 the switch. is in open circuit position. In order to oper-- ate theswitch the lower push button 3 would therefore be pushed upward. Thegarter spring 12 then expands and as soon as it passes over the crest ofthe cam 1 it throws the contactor 4: to the circuit closing positionwherein it bridges the contact members 21. In moving to this position.the edges of the out-turned sides 7 of the contactor i engage the outersides of the contact members '21 with a wipingaction and move along thesame until the front surface of the spacing strip 8 abuts against theforward edges of the contact members 21. Then the switch is in circuitclosing position and the circuit is complete betweenthe binding screws4-6. When it is desired to move the switch to open circuit position theupper push but ton 3 is pushed downward to throw the contactor -l to theposition shown in Fig. 2. this positiorl the projections on thecontactor abut against the lugs and ears pro vided on the stop 26. Inthe circuit closing position the edges of the stationary contacts 21engage the contactor 4: approximately at its center line and in thecircuit open sition the contactor 4 is engaged at its and bottom. Thusit is seen that the str upon the contactor is reduced to the mini-- mum.Further, the parts are so constructed and arranged that when thecontactor reaches the circuit closing position the on posite end of thecam member abuts against a stop and when the contactor reaches cin cuitopen position the other end of the ca member abuts against its stop.Thus it"is seen that all strain upon the parts is removed. Further, dueto the improved con struction. of the contact members there is little orno sparking at the contacts, and due to the use of improved switchmechanism the circuit is made or broken very quickly, with very littleopportunity to:

sparking. By the use of the resilient con- 2 L d I "1" Y (1 A ("if Ltactol an t e improve constrm ion or contacts the shock or 1211 inoperation of the switch mechanism is very small.

ther, by the provision of the improved means for permitting the entry oftheconductors and the passage the same through 4 within the switch.

In the foregoing description of the specific construction illustrated inthe drawings 1 have not attempted to indicate all of the equivalentconstructions and modified forms in which my invention may beincorporated.

l have instead, however, restricted myself to a description of thisparticular form, helieving that it 1s readily evident to those skilledin the art that my invention may assume various other forms and bew1dely -1110d1fi8d. Consequently I do not wish to be limited to thespecific construction herein described, but rather wish to cover all ofthe various forms and modifications which fall within the scope of myinvention.

What l. claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l... inan electric switch, a contactor comprising a sheet metal member having abody portion and parallel resilient portions at right angles to saidbody portion, and a spacing strip held in loose connection with .saidresilient portions and removed from said body portion.

In an electric switch, a cont-actor comprising a sheet metal striphaving a fiat intermed ate portion. and rearwardly looped and forwardlyextended resilient contact arms.

a spacing strip removably clamped between said arms and parallel to bodyportion, said strip and said body portion having alined ,npertures.

3. an electric 'itch, a snap switch mechanism includin reciprocahle cam,a sheet metal contactor, a base upon which. said swi h mechanism.issuppcrted, terminal co acts having peaked edges carried by said aplane substantially at right angles to said base and extending into thepath of contactor, and means for guiding said cam member and limitingthe movement of said member-and said contactor.

4. ln an electric switch, a base, a snap switch. mechanism carriedthereon, and means for limiting the movement of the parts at the switchmechanism including a stamped metal stop havinga central perforationthrough which one of the operating members of. said switch mechanismextends and stamped ears arranged to engage the other of said operatingmembers of said switch mechanism to limit its movement.

i an electric switch, a. base, a snap echanism. including a cam and allt movable contactor, and means for limiting the movement of saidcontactor including a stamped metal stop having a perforation throughwhich a portion of said cam member extends and an extensionsubstantially at right angles to its body portion provided with earsarranged to limit the movement of said contactor.

6. In an electric switch, a push button snap switch mechanism, means forlimiting andguiding the movement of the operating parts of the sameincluding a stamped metal stop having extensions. substantially at rightangles to its body portion arranged to recessed base and one of theparts of said switch mechanism.

8. In an electric switch, a push button snap switch mechanism, terminalcontacts therefor arranged on opposite sides of the same, a base. onwhich said terminal contacts are carried, and a combined stop and guidefor said switch mechanism arranged to guide and limit the movement ofone of the parts of said mechanism and to establish one limit of travelof one of the other parts of said mechanism, said stop being removablymounted in recesses in said base and having stamped members arranged toengage with said base and with one of the parts of said switchmechanism.

9. In an electric switch, an integral contactor having a sheet metalbody portion provided with rearwardly extending rounded shoulders on itsopposite sides and forwardly extending contact arms, and a spacing stripbetween said arms locked into engagement therewith, said spacing stripand said body portion being provided with registering perforations.

10. In an electric switch, a contactor including a stamped metal bodyportion hav ing contact arms bent substantially at right angles to saidbody portion and having p'eaked out-turned edges and a spacing stripbetween said arms arranged in a plane parallel with said body portion,said spacing strip and said body portion being provided withsubstantially registering perforations.

11. In an electric switch, a reciprocable cam, a spring arranged to gripthe surface thereof, a movable contactor in which said spring is housedhaving perforations through which said cam is arranged to bereciprocated, said contactor being provided with perforations to permitthe expansion of said spring when said cam is moved.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name'in the presenceof two witnesses.

CHARLES J. KLEIN.

